This archive report was first published on 17 July 2021.
On July 17, 2021, Tokyo Olympics organisers confirmed the first Covid-19 case in the Games Village, amidst concerns about the safety of the pandemic-delayed event.
The unnamed person, a foreign national, had tested positive for coronavirus in the Village, where thousands of athletes and officials will stay during the Games.
According to Masa Takaya, spokesman for the Tokyo organising committee, the person was confined to a hotel and undergoing further testing.
Japanese media reported that the person who had tested positive was a foreign national, fuelling fears of a fresh wave of infections among the Japanese public.
Seiko Hashimoto, the chief organiser of the Tokyo 2020 Games, assured that organisers were ready to respond swiftly if there was a wider outbreak, with a plan in place to prevent and contain any Covid-19 cases.
Hashimoto also vowed that organisers would not hide any cases, and that athletes would be informed of any positive tests.
